Poll
Question:
How do you park your car?
Option 1: I back up into the spot
votes: 3
Option 2: I pull forward into the spot
votes: 31
Option 3: I do both
votes: 9
Option 4: With at least one tire on Jaron's head
votes: 2
Option 5: I am a tree hugger, I don't drive!
votes: 8
I was curious. I got annoyed the other day waiting on a person who took 5-10 minutes to back their car into a space before I could go around them.
Edit: Not parallel parking
I park my car whichever damn way I please.
I'm a rebel, and I don't have to follow your stupid code.
Was the driver: Female? ;)
I pull forward into the spot, of course. I don't want to crash into other cars or fixed objects.
sideways. I find a good post and lock it through both wheel and frame!
Front first.
Altho, I'm set to learn, or rather use, parallel parking now pretty soon.
I think you need to distinguish between parallel parking and other spots. For other spots, I just pull in forward (and sometimes pull through to the opposite side, if the lot permits it). For parallel parking, I always back in unless there are an amazing number of other free spots.
In my own vehicle usually pull in front first, because I am lazy. In my work truck I back in much more often; there are some really cramped lots where I always back in.
For normal spots, I pull in forward. For parallel parking, backwards.
I assume you're talking about parallel parking.
It depends on the space. If there's a lot of it I will pull in forward. But to do effectively in my truck you need enough space to be able to park two vehicles.
If it's a fairly small spot you must pull in backwards. Of course if you have any clue on how to parallel park it doesn't take much time at all unless you're an impatient asshole. :P
Is it even possible to parallel park without backing? I'm not talking about the kinds of situations where you have 2+ carlengths in which to maneuver.
I try to part diagonally over as many spots as possible.
Quote from: Slargos on August 25, 2009, 12:27:45 PM
Is it even possible to parallel park without backing?
It isn't.
Quote from: ulmont on August 25, 2009, 12:17:34 PM
I think you need to distinguish between parallel parking and other spots. For other spots, I just pull in forward (and sometimes pull through to the opposite side, if the lot permits it). For parallel parking, I always back in unless there are an amazing number of other free spots.
Same here. Of course, more often that not when I manage to pull through to the other side, I'm actually shopping, and would thus need an easy access to my trunk. :frusty:
I worked for Schlumberger, I am now immunized against anything but reverse parking.
Quote from: Barrister on August 25, 2009, 12:31:24 PM
Quote from: Slargos on August 25, 2009, 12:27:45 PM
Is it even possible to parallel park without backing?
It isn't.
Yes, it is. In a rear-wheel-drive car. The reason for backing in is because front-wheel-drive cars (most passenger sedans and wagons) tend toward understeer going forward and oversteer in reverse- the opposite is true of rear-wheel-drive cars. :nerd:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fToRej14lCQ
Quote from: DontSayBanana on August 25, 2009, 12:52:40 PM
Quote from: Barrister on August 25, 2009, 12:31:24 PM
Quote from: Slargos on August 25, 2009, 12:27:45 PM
Is it even possible to parallel park without backing?
It isn't.
Yes, it is. In a rear-wheel-drive car. The reason for backing in is because front-wheel-drive cars (most passenger sedans and wagons) tend toward understeer going forward and oversteer in reverse- the opposite is true of rear-wheel-drive cars. :nerd:
You're clueless. :huh:
The terms oversteer and understeer deal with the tendency of a vehicle when it loses traction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oversteer
You're right that in those kind of situations a rear wheel drive and a front wheel drive vehicle will typically behave quite differently.
Parallel parking has nothing to do with situations where you lose traction. What makes a difference is that it is the front wheels that turn, which is true on both front and rear wheel drive vehicles.
Quote from: Barrister on August 25, 2009, 12:59:53 PM
You're clueless. :huh:
The terms oversteer and understeer deal with the tendency of a vehicle when it loses traction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oversteer
You're right that in those kind of situations a rear wheel drive and a front wheel drive vehicle will typically behave quite differently.
Parallel parking has nothing to do with situations where you lose traction. What makes a difference is that it is the front wheels that turn, which is true on both front and rear wheel drive vehicles.
I was going to say the same thing, but I wasn't 100% sure, and didn't want to start the debate. As far as I know, oversteer and understeer have to do with car behavior at the limit, and I hope your car is not on the limit when you're parking. You're also right about the fact that you steer better in reverse because rear steering is more sensitive.
I usually pull straight in. I figure it's so much easier to back out of the spot rather than back in, making sure to be between the parking space lines and/or avoid adjacent vehicles. I just don't find it a problem to have to back out of a spot.
When parallel parking I back in, as that's, I believe, the best way to do it. It would seem to be easier to go straight in, but doing it seems to be more difficult when ever I bother to try that.
Quote from: Barrister on August 25, 2009, 12:59:53 PM
You're clueless. :huh:
The terms oversteer and understeer deal with the tendency of a vehicle when it loses traction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oversteer
You're right that in those kind of situations a rear wheel drive and a front wheel drive vehicle will typically behave quite differently.
Parallel parking has nothing to do with situations where you lose traction. What makes a difference is that it is the front wheels that turn, which is true on both front and rear wheel drive vehicles.
Did you even read that before you linked it? There's a difference between oversteer in auto engineering and oversteer in drifting. It's the tendency of the leading wheels during cornering; the drive wheels will understeer because the drive axle is trying to push them in a straight line. The non-drive wheels will try to pivot around the drive wheels, so when turning with non-drive-wheels, extra force is applied to keep the car from swinging around.
Quote from: DontSayBanana on August 25, 2009, 01:06:13 PM
Did you even read that before you linked it? There's a difference between oversteer in auto engineering and oversteer in drifting. It's the tendency of the leading wheels during cornering; the drive wheels will understeer because the drive axle is trying to push them in a straight line. The non-drive wheels will try to pivot around the drive wheels, so when turning with non-drive-wheels, extra force is applied to keep the car from swinging around.
I did read the link. I guess you read the link, but I don't think you understood it.
What does any of that have to do with parallel parking? As DG said you shouldn't by anywhere near losing traction with either sets of wheels when you're parking.
Quote from: Slargos on August 25, 2009, 12:27:45 PM
Is it even possible to parallel park without backing?
It's extremely easy in a forklift. :)
DSB, if it's any help I drive a rear-wheel-drive truck (well, 4x4, but it's usually in 2-wheel drive). If it's a tight spot I can only parallel park by backing in.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on August 25, 2009, 01:11:39 PM
Quote from: Slargos on August 25, 2009, 12:27:45 PM
Is it even possible to parallel park without backing?
It's extremely easy in a forklift. :)
Forklifts use their rear wheels to turn, don't they? :unsure:
I seem to be able to get by just fine without the need for backing up when parking both in a normal type spot in a lot, and when parallel parking (I mean backing up to...start the process...not just not backing up at all) on the road somewhere. Of course, parallel parking on the street is silly when you have convenient parking garages and lots all over the place, so I don't bother with it much.
Quote from: Barrister on August 25, 2009, 01:13:43 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on August 25, 2009, 01:11:39 PM
Quote from: Slargos on August 25, 2009, 12:27:45 PM
Is it even possible to parallel park without backing?
It's extremely easy in a forklift. :)
Forklifts use their rear wheels to turn, don't they? :unsure:
That's his point, yes. :lol:
Quote from: Slargos on August 25, 2009, 01:24:38 PM
Quote from: Barrister on August 25, 2009, 01:13:43 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on August 25, 2009, 01:11:39 PM
Quote from: Slargos on August 25, 2009, 12:27:45 PM
Is it even possible to parallel park without backing?
It's extremely easy in a forklift. :)
Forklifts use their rear wheels to turn, don't they? :unsure:
That's his point, yes. :lol:
Just checking. :)
My little CRX that I had as an undergraduate could parallel park going forwards. It could also do a u-turn in about a lane and a half. With a tailwind it used to get 50mph...
In Hahvahd Yahd.
Quote from: Barrister on August 25, 2009, 12:59:53 PM
Parallel parking has nothing to do with situations where you lose traction. What makes a difference is that it is the front wheels that turn, which is true on both front and rear wheel drive vehicles.
Yeah mang. It's the axis of rotation.
I see BB has adequately dealt with [The person who obviously does not drive] who thinks one can parallel park without going into reverse. Isnt that the very definition of parallel parking.....
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 25, 2009, 05:42:39 PM
I see BB has adequately dealt with [The person who obviously does not drive] who thinks one can parallel park without going into reverse. Isnt that the very definition of parallel parking.....
You *can* go the other way if your car is dinky and the space is huge.
Anyone who backs into a non-parallel parking spot is a jerk.
Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on August 25, 2009, 05:48:18 PM
Anyone who backs into a non-parallel parking spot is a jerk.
:huh: That is the correct way according to the driver's manual I had when I started driving. It's also usually easier to back into a space than out of it.
I pull forward into the spot.
Always pull forward when I park in a normal spot. If there are two open spots opposite each other sometimes I'll park in the opposite spot so it's easier to leave.
Quote from: Maximus on August 25, 2009, 06:59:23 PM
Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on August 25, 2009, 05:48:18 PM
Anyone who backs into a non-parallel parking spot is a jerk.
:huh: That is the correct way according to the driver's manual I had when I started driving. It's also usually easier to back into a space than out of it.
Yup. We were taught that way in the poo-lice academy as well.
And yes, you can navigate out of a space better than hitting someone you can't see. Nothing like watching two HisMajestyBoB morons back into each other coming out of parking spaces at the mall.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 25, 2009, 10:31:56 PM
Quote from: Maximus on August 25, 2009, 06:59:23 PM
Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on August 25, 2009, 05:48:18 PM
Anyone who backs into a non-parallel parking spot is a jerk.
:huh: That is the correct way according to the driver's manual I had when I started driving. It's also usually easier to back into a space than out of it.
Yup. We were taught that way in the poo-lice academy as well.
And yes, you can navigate out of a space better than hitting someone you can't see. Nothing like watching two HisMajestyBoB morons back into each other coming out of parking spaces at the mall.
:huh:
In southern Florida, backing in is
illegal in most municipal lots.
I park in the expectant mothers spot.
Quote from: vonmoltke on August 26, 2009, 08:12:30 AM
In southern Florida, backing in is illegal in most municipal lots.
Lots of places have that law if the herringbone parking is one-direction. It has to do with exiting into the flow of cars...
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 25, 2009, 05:44:31 PM
You *can* go the other way if your car is dinky and the space is huge.
True, but then you are not parallel parking. You are just driving directly into the spot.
On a driver's test the applicant has to demostrate they can parallel park. If the applicant simply drove forward into a spot because there was enough space to do that, do you think the tester would pass them?
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 26, 2009, 09:22:09 AM
On a driver's test the applicant has to demostrate they can parallel park.
I didn't have to do this when I took my test. Princesca did, and she failed the first time because of it.
Quote from: Caliga on August 26, 2009, 10:19:54 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 26, 2009, 09:22:09 AM
On a driver's test the applicant has to demostrate they can parallel park.
I didn't have to do this when I took my test. Princesca did, and she failed the first time because of it.
I had to do it. On my first try I parked about a foot from the sidewalk. The test instructor told me to pull closer, which I tried to do, only to impressively come back to the same exact spot. He rolled his eyes and told me to drive away.
I didn't have to parallel park either on my exam. Only had to back in a parking spot. Haven't done it since.
I did have to paralel-park on my exam but the free space was big, yet the instructor did not care. Which was fine since my teacher told me earlier that I have l33t parallel parking skillz anyway. Too bad I almost never have to parallel-park anymore so I am completely out of practice and have some problems when I actually do have to. :Embarrass:
Edit: and I pull forward almost all the time, unless the fit hits me to reverse into the space.
Null voted (i miss that option, a lot.) as I don't drive but do not hug trees either.
I park backwards in order to have better visibility when I exit the spot, unless conditions (traffic, layout ...) do not allow or make unnecessary such approach.
I've never tried to back into the spot, and I can't imagine how it can possibly work. How do you not crash into the cars next to you, or know how to stop before smashing the rear of your car into a brick wall at the end of the spot? I find reversing to be hard enough when going straight.
Over here in Yurop we have some tiny mirrors attached to several bits of the car.
Many current models have rear cameras or ultrasound sensors as well.
Quote from: Caliga on August 26, 2009, 10:19:54 AM
I didn't have to do this when I took my test. Princesca did, and she failed the first time because of it.
Neither did I. I had to go around a rotary/traffic circle and then make two 3-point turns.
Quote from: Caliga on August 26, 2009, 10:19:54 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on August 26, 2009, 09:22:09 AM
On a driver's test the applicant has to demostrate they can parallel park.
I didn't have to do this when I took my test. Princesca did, and she failed the first time because of it.
I had to parallel park too. I did it ok, passed the test.
Also took a motorcycle test a few years later. Passed that one too, though no parallel parking. ;) Though I did have to go through some low speed maneuvers to make sure I could handle the machine.
Quote from: PDH on August 26, 2009, 08:44:50 AM
Quote from: vonmoltke on August 26, 2009, 08:12:30 AM
In southern Florida, backing in is illegal in most municipal lots.
Lots of places have that law if the herringbone parking is one-direction. It has to do with exiting into the flow of cars...
Every municipal lot I know of in my home city is perpendicular with two-way traffic, not herringbone.
Drive in, although if there is room in the next space I tend to drive so that my car is facing outwards.